Lab Investigation of The Full Blood Count and White Cell Disorders Flashcards
Where does blood cell production occur?
Where does maturation occur and where do cells move to once they are matured?
Blood cell production (red +white) occurs in the bone marrow of long bones.
Maturation occurs in Bone Marrow. Once cells are matured, they move to the peripheral blood.
Outline haematopoiesis
starts with a multipotential haematopoietic stem cell that differentiates either into a common myeloid or lymphoid progenitor which then give rise to different types of progenitors (check ppt slide for different routes etc)
What makes up a full blood count (FBC)?
Red Blood Cells Results Hb: concentration of Haemoglobin Hct: Percentage of blood volume as RBC MCV: Average size of RBC MCH: Average haemoglobin content of RBC RDW: Range of deviation around RBC size Reticulocyte count Blood film
However, it is Not just RBC results:
Also includes:
White Blood Cells Results
Total WBC and differential
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes,
basophils, eosinophils
Platelets results
Platelet count and size
Others: Warning Flags
If something abnormal shows up, a blood film will be prepared and further analysed
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using an Automated Haematology Analyzer?
Advantages
Efficient and cost effective:
processing of large number of samples.
Accuracy and precision of quantitative blood test
Ability to perform multiple test on single platform
Reduced labour requirements
Invaluable for accurate determination of red cell indices; e.g. MCV
Disadvantages
Flagging of laboratory test results demand labour intensive manual examination of blood smear.
Comments on red cell morphology cannot be generated.
Platelet clumps are counted at single, so low count.
Expensive with high running cost
All automated counters are screening devices; abnormalities must be verified by blood film, staining & scanning by an expert observer.